Jobs at WRC

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The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we are an equal opportunity employer. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose.

It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, or disability. All qualified people, including those with lived experience relating to a particular role, are encouraged to apply. The Women’s Refugee Commission is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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Location: New York, NY

Compensation range: $180K – $240K

Significant Travel Required

This position requires current US work authorization.

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S REFUGEE COMMISSION

Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) is dedicated to protecting and empowering refugee, migrant, stateless, and displaced persons by serving as a witness to their struggles, amplifying their voices, and acting on their recommendations to ensure humanitarian systems better respond to their needs.

At this time of intensified threats and harsh treatment of refugees, migrants, and displaced persons globally, the women, children, and youth are bearing the brunt of the impact, as life-changing services are vanishing. In the United States, multipronged immigration enforcement actions have led to mass detention and deportation, family separation and complicated relations with scores of countries. The crisis is compounded by dramatic funding cuts across the sector and a growing backlash against gender equality that threatens to undo decades of progress.

To meet the growing needs, WRC is intensifying its role, exposing the far-reaching impact of funding and policy shifts, documenting the lived experiences of displaced women and young people, and insisting that their voices and recommendations inform the policies and actions that affect them.

WRC works domestically, regionally, and globally, has an annual operating budget of $5.3 million and is in a stable financial situation with a healthy reserve.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of External Engagement (VP) is a senior leader responsible for growing and diversifying the organization’s revenue and elevating its visibility and reputation.

Reporting to the Executive Director (CEO) and serving as a key member of the leadership team, the VP oversees:

• Individual Giving (major gifts, annual giving, planned giving)
• Institutional Giving (foundations, corporations, government, UN, private sponsorships)
• Communications & Brand (marketing, media relations, digital media, storytelling)

The VP will design and execute an integrated external engagement strategy that increases philanthropic revenue, deepens stakeholder relationships, and strengthens the organization’s brand and influence in support of its mission and strategic plan.

The Vice President will manage a high-performing team that currently includes a Senior Individual Giving Officer, an Associate Director of Institutional Giving, a Senior Communications Specialist, and an external media and branding consultant. The VP will have the opportunity to strategically grow and evolve the team over time in support of the organization’s expanding development and communications goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategy & Leadership

• Partner with the ED and Board to develop a multi-year external engagement strategy aligned with the strategic plan and revenue goals.
• Set clear annual goals and dashboards for fundraising and communications and regularly report progress to the ED and Board.
• Serve as a key ambassador and thought partner on issues related to visibility, positioning, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team across development and communications; foster a culture of collaboration and accountability across all WRC departments and teams.

2. Individual Giving

• With staff and Board, design and oversee a comprehensive strategy for the individual giving program (major gifts, mid-level, annual fund, and planned giving) that sets monthly and annual revenue goals and a strategic direction for growing this Provide staff oversight and direction to implement the plan.
• Manage, cultivate, and grow a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects and engage directly in deepening those relationships and soliciting gifts.
• Partner with the ED and Board to engage them as effective fundraisers and ambassadors (e.g., prospect identification, donor visits, events).
• Ensure systems and practices for meaningful stewardship, donor recognition and sustained cultivation, and impact reporting.
• Supervise fundraising-related event design, management, and follow up for donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Collaborate closely with program and finance teams to develop compelling messages and content for donor engagement and to leverage WRC work to increase and deepen donor interest.

3. Institutional Giving (Foundations, Corporations, Government)

• Lead a comprehensive institutional fundraising strategy that sets annual revenue goals and focuses on multi-year, sustainable support from foundations, corporations, and, where relevant, governmental agencies.
• Oversee pipeline development, proposal writing, reporting, and relationship management with institutional funders.
• Collaborate closely with program and finance teams to develop compelling cases for support, accurate budgets, and strong reporting on outcomes and impact.
• Identify and pursue strategic opportunities such as challenge grants, sponsorships, and co-branded initiatives.

4. Communications, Brand & Visibility

• Develop and implement an integrated communications and brand strategy that raises the organization’s profile among donors, partners, traditional and digital media, policymakers, and the public.
• Oversee brand positioning, messaging, and visual identity to ensure consistency and clarity across all channels and throughout the organization.
• Direct the creation and distribution of compelling content (stories, impact reports, videos, newsletters, social media, website) that drives engagement and giving, working in close collaboration with program staff for content.
• Manage and deepen media relations, including proactive outreach, press releases, op-eds, and crisis communications as needed.
• Align communications calendar with fundraising campaigns, program milestones, advocacy opportunities, and events.
• Leverage the expertise of WRC staff, partners, Board and Commissioners to increase the WRC visibility, profile, and influence.

5. Data, Systems & Operations

• Oversee department budgets and revenue forecasts; ensure accurate and timely revenue tracking and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with all fundraising and communications regulations and ethical standards, including donor privacy, acknowledgments, and branding guidelines.
• Ensure strong use of CRM and data systems to track relationships, revenue, and engagement across donors and audiences.
• Ensure strong use of analytics to segment audiences, inform strategies, and refine tactics in fundraising and communications.

6. Board & External Partnerships

• Lead Board Development Committee and provide Board members with clear, actionable data and strategies to support their role in fundraising and ambassadorship.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with peer organizations, coalitions, and stakeholders that extend the organization’s reach and impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising and/or external relations, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated success leading integrated development functions (individual and institutional giving).
• Experience engaging with and cultivating professional relationships and record of successful story placement with journalists and other media.
• Experience leading, conducting, or overseeing with communications/marketing functions; familiarity with brand strategy, digital engagement, and media
• Effective public spokesperson and thought leader with experience presenting at influential public and private events.

Skills & Knowledge: 

• Proven track record of securing and stewarding significant gifts from individuals and institutions.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and project and staff management
• Effective public spokesperson with strong ability to represent the organization at high level events and in the media.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft and articulate a compelling case for support.
• Comfort working with data and analytics to drive decision-
• Ability to effectively engage and support the ED, senior leaders, and Board members in fundraising and external relations.

Personal Attributes:

• Deep commitment to the organization’s mission, vision and values
• Relationship-builder with high emotional intelligence and cultural humility and demonstrated skills working across departments to foster organization-wide collaboration and cohesion.
• Entrepreneurial, results-oriented, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment undergoing growth or change.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred or equivalent
• In addition to English, proficiency in at least one additional language is

SUCCESS METRICS

Within 12–36 months, success for this role could include:

• Year-over-year increase in unrestricted and restricted revenue from individual and institutional donors.
• Growth in the number and size of major gifts and multi-year
• A stronger, more consistent brand presence across media, digital channels, and key stakeholder groups.
• Improved donor and stakeholder cultivation, retention, and satisfaction.
• A cohesive, high-performing External Engagement team with clear goals and professional development plans.
• Excellent collaboration across WRC departments that fosters one cohesive and compelling message, elevates the WRC public profile through consistently effective public events, and successfully fundraises to support the WRC as a whole.
• Appropriate leveraging of Board and Commissioners to enhance WRC engagement with strategic audiences.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $180K – $240K. This is a full-time position offering a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, as well as paid time off and a 401K matching plan. This position can be based in New York City or Washington, DC in a hybrid environment with frequent travel. This role requires work authorization in the U.S.

HOW TO APPLY

WRC has partnered with the executive search firm LeaderFit on this search. Interested candidates should upload their resume and a brief cover letter here.

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Globally Based Position

BACKGROUND

The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) works to improve the lives and defend the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children, and young people. As a research organization that also advocates and amplifies solutions, WRC is dedicated to securing systemic changes in policy and practice that ensure uprooted women, children, and young people can fully exercise their rights to protection, services, and self-sufficiency. 

Thirty-six years ago, WRC’s founders traveled to refugee camps and found that the humanitarian systems designed to serve the women living there were not listening to them or meeting their basic needs. Since then, WRC has fought for women refugees, their families, and the most vulnerable among displaced populations. We have driven policy change at the UN, within the US government, and beyond, improving responses to gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health needs. 

WRC continues to innovate to meet women’s needs, often filling gaps in the humanitarian sector by incubating new ideas, frameworks, and networks. We host the Global Refugee Youth Network and support its work with youth-led organizations worldwide as it moves toward independence. WRC also hosts and serves as the Secretariat of the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights, which, since its founding, has contributed to 18 nationality law reforms that either partially or comprehensively address gender discrimination, advancing the nationality rights of over 175 million women and girls. In these capacities, we are also a grantor to frontline organizations that are leading change in humanitarian contexts. 

At a time when funding for research is eroding, we continue our legacy of generating evidence that mobilizes more effective humanitarian responses for women. With partners, WRC launched the Self-Reliance Index, which has been used by 88 partners in 39 countries. In 2027, we will launch our inaugural flagship report, The State of Displacement of Women and Girls, with support from a global advisory panel of governments, funders, policy experts, and refugee women leaders. 

WRC’s work in the United States focuses on the rights of migrant women and their children and is a major driver of policy change and public sentiment. This program has been covered by the press more than 100 times in 2026 alone, and it helped end family separation during the first Trump administration. Continued research and advocacy expose the ways that the US government does not follow its own policies regarding family reunification and the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women in detention.

WRC’s influence is built through rigorous research, strategic advocacy, partnerships, and thought leadership that shape how the humanitarian sector responds to the needs of displaced populations. Our Director of Global Research and Impact will play a vital, leading role in our global work.

DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL RESEARCH AND IMPACT 

Since our founding, WRC has been dedicated to centering refugee women. We work with a wide range of global partners, including displaced women who often lead and author our research. WRC has historically been based in New York and Washington, DC. With this role, we are building out our global team. 

To stay closely connected to the communities we work with, this role will be based in a country with high levels of displacement. We seek applicants who are based in a range of countries. We are prioritizing candidates who are based in the following cities: Nairobi, Bogotá, Amman, Beirut, Warsaw, Mexico City, Lima, Kyiv, Cairo, and Panama City. In addition, we will soon launch a search for a second global research staff position, which will also be based outside the United States. Applicants must be based in time zones UTC−8 through UTC+3.

This new role builds on years of research and advocacy experience and reflects our commitment to growing a global team based near the people we serve. Despite the challenges of measuring impact in a research and advocacy environment, WRC is committed to work that drives real-world change. Our Director of Global Research and Impact will work with our entire team toward our goal of positive, measurable change for women refugees, their families, and the most vulnerable in humanitarian contexts. 

Along with the entire staff at WRC, the Director of Global Research and Impact will center and promote the experiences of women refugee leaders both by working closely with women refugee researchers and authors to contribute to our work, and by working with our communications and advocacy teams to promote women leaders on the frontlines through storytelling and networking support. As part of this effort, the Director of Global Research and Impact will mentor our Humanitarian Futures Fellows and support the release of their research. The Director will also help ensure that women refugee researchers’ expertise is centered as we design future research strategy and projects. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary and benefits for this role will be competitive and commensurate with experience. WRC sets global salaries by considering New York and Washington, DC job markets alongside the job market in the place of residence of candidates. This provides for a progressive, globally competitive salary scale that also accounts for differing costs of living. The following are sample salary ranges for this position by country, though candidates may be located in other countries as well. 

Kenya, Lebanon:  85,000 – 104,000 USD per annum

Ukraine, Colombia: 78,000 – 96,000 USD per annum

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Global Research and Impact is a strategic and technical leadership role responsible for guiding WRC’s research agenda, strengthening the organization’s ability to define and demonstrate its impact, and serving as a global convener and representative of WRC’s research and evidence base. The role combines rigorous technical implementation and oversight of research and evaluation with organizational leadership, building WRC’s profile as a trusted, evidence-driven voice in the humanitarian sector and creating spaces for cross-sector dialogue and collaboration. This position engages closely with WRC management in New York and WRC colleagues in Geneva and DC while representing WRC’s research and impact agenda with donors, partners, and humanitarian actors worldwide.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Director of Global Research and Impact provides overall strategic direction to WRC’s research function, ensuring that research and evaluation efforts are rigorous, ethical, and directly advance WRC’s organizational priorities and advocacy aims. The Director will serve as principal investigator on several key studies, manage the research team, play a leading role in organizational efforts to define and measure WRC’s impact, and serve as a visible global leader and convener.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and Evaluation Leadership

• Provide strategic direction on the development and implementation of research and evaluation initiatives that advance WRC’s priorities across its core programmatic areas, including gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and protection. 
• Lead proposal development for research with the development technical team, including in areas of strategic interest, such as refugee self-reliance, use of technology, and priority geographies.
• Provide support and opportunities for co-learning to a geographically dispersed team of research staff, consulting experts, and Humanitarian Futures Fellows, fostering a collaborative and high-performing research culture.
• Lead capacity-development initiatives across WRC, strengthening staff proficiency in research methods, evaluation design, and research ethics.
• Champion participatory and peer-research approaches alongside rigorous conventional methods, ensuring findings reach affected communities in plain, accessible language.
• Establish clear protocols for community data ownership and fair compensation for enumerators and peer researchers.

Research Implementation

• Serve as principal investigator for research projects related to WRC’s programmatic areas.
• Ensure all WRC research adheres to donor requirements, ethical standards, and implementation protocols.
• Document and disseminate research findings through participant, project, and donor reports, as well as external speaking engagements and conference panels.
• Identify and advocate for evidence-based program models in humanitarian settings, driving greater attention to high-quality data and evidence generation across the sector.
• Lead the finalization and rollout of WRC’s flagship conceptual and indicator framework on the rights and well-being of women and girls in displacement.
• Lead and guide the WRC Humanitarian Futures Fellowship program, providing opportunities for co-learning to support their research, advocacy, and professional development.
  

Defining and Demonstrating Organizational Impact

• Play a leading role in WRC’s efforts to define, track, and communicate its organizational impact, developing frameworks and metrics that capture the influence of WRC’s research and advocacy on policy and practice.
• Translate research findings into clear impact narratives for refugee communities, especially those who participated in the research, as well as for donors, board members, and external stakeholders.
• Work with the Programs, Communications, and Development teams to ensure research and impact evidence is effectively packaged and positioned to influence key audiences.

Global Representation and Convening

• Serve as a senior global representative of WRC, building and maintaining relationships with donors, UN agencies, research institutions, and humanitarian actors worldwide.
• Play a leadership role in convening researchers, practitioners, and policymakers around shared evidence and advocacy priorities, including through roundtables, working groups, and conferences.
• Represent WRC’s research and impact agenda in high-level forums and with senior leadership across the humanitarian and development sectors.
• Cultivate strong relationships across WRC departments and represent the research function with senior leadership and the HQ management team in New York.

Organizational Systems and Ethics

• Ensure women refugee leaders and experts shape research design, priorities, and WRC’s advocacy and communications.
• Strengthen and continuously improve WRC’s research systems, including standards for data collection, cleaning, coding, analysis, and dissemination.
• Support the adoption of appropriate data and analytic tools to improve the speed, quality, and rigor of evidence generation.
• Strengthen systems for data storage, sharing, version control, and reproducibility.

Fundraising and Financial Management

• Partner with the development team to raise funds for WRC’s research agenda and systems. 
• Oversee budgets and the financial health of research initiatives and projects, proactively identifying and addressing gaps or concerns.
• Contribute to efforts to appropriately and effectively host advocacy delegations to displacement contexts.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: Ph.D. preferred in development, humanitarian intervention, public health, or a related social science (e.g., economics, epidemiology, political science, gender studies). Candidates with a master’s degree and equivalent research leadership experience will also be considered.

Work Experience: 10+ years of research experience, with significant experience in humanitarian or development contexts, ideally with a focus on displacement, gender, protection, or related fields.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Extensive experience designing research and managing research teams in low-resource and humanitarian settings.
• Fluency in translating empirical evidence into actionable guidance for advocacy and policy audiences.
• Demonstrated success in contributing to business development and fundraising for research projects with public and private donors.
• Experience developing and driving research and impact strategies across a complex organization.
• Strong record of publication and authorship or co-authorship in peer-reviewed journals.
• An established professional network within humanitarian and development research and policy communities.
• Strong leadership and management competencies, with the ability to align diverse teams around a shared vision and to communicate effectively with senior leadership, technical peers, and advocacy and communications colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization externally and convene diverse stakeholders around shared priorities.
• Excellent public speaking, writing, and interpersonal communication skills.

Location and Language Skills: Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French, Arabic, or Spanish is a plus. We are prioritizing candidates who are based in any of the following cities: Nairobi, Bogotá, Amman, Beirut, Warsaw, Mexico City, Lima, Kyiv, Cairo, and Panama City.

CULTURAL COMPETENCIES

• Collaborative and coaching mindset
• Embrace of ethics and integrity in all settings, and with a specific understanding of appropriate ways of working with vulnerable populations 
• Continual learner with interest in investing in personal growth and growth of others, and ability to give and receive feedback
• Orientation towards a growth environment, with interest to contribute to a team that embraces new ways of working to drive impact and with capacity to be nimble, responsive, and to pivot as needed.
• Self-starter with ability to work remotely while building strong relationships with a global team

WORKING ENVIRONMENT 

WRC is prioritizing applicants based in countries with significant populations of refugee or displaced women.

• The role requires close coordination with management and technical teams in New York, Washington, DC, and Geneva, and may require flexible hours across time zones.
• The role requires travel up to 25% of the time, including for global convenings, donor engagement, and field-based research oversight. Access to a major airport is required.
• Candidates must have work authorization in their country of residence. WRC hires staff outside the United States through an Employer of Record, which gives employees the same statutory protections and benefits they would have with a local employer.

WRC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and nationalities. 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter through our JazzHR portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. A first round of applications will be viewed on October 23rd. We encourage early submission.